HAMMOND, La. (WVUE) - A man from California has been arrested following a months-long investigation into massage parlors he was running in Hammond.

Steven Bates, 58, of Farmersville, California, was taken to the Hammond City Jail. He faces charges of human trafficking, prostitution, promoting prostitution (also called pandering), and money laundering. Authorities also say he has open charges in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The investigation began in June when the Hammond Fire Prevention Bureau noticed Bates had applied for business licenses at multiple locations. During inspections, officials found women dressed in lingerie or revealing clothing. The women seemed to be living at the businesses, which appeared to be operating as massage parlors. Bates claimed he was working as a hypnotist at

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